Alienware M18x R2 Notebook Review: NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680M in SLI
by Dustin Sklavos on September 28, 2012 12:01 AM ESTApplication and Futuremark Performance
Given that the Alienware M18x R2 we have in house features the fastest mobile CPU we've tested, the fastest mobile GPU configuration we've tested, and two SSDs in a striped RAID, it's reasonable to assume Futuremark's benchmarks are going to be pretty kind to it. With that in mind, I've added another wrinkle for both my edification and yours: I've included test results where available for AVADirect's second Quiet Gaming PC and iBuyPower's Ivy Bridge and Kepler-powered Erebus GT. Both of these are powerful current-generation gaming desktops that are available for roughly two thirds the price of the M18x R2.
It's pretty crazy to think about just how fast a notebook like the M18x R2 can be, though you do pay very dearly for the privilege. Note that even its SSDs in RAID and SLI graphics hardware can't quite get it in contention with the two desktops and their overclocked CPUs. This is something that you're going to see a lot of.
3DMarks 11 and Vantage show a substantial performance increase between the single and dual GPU Alienwares, but what's interesting is that despite the Ivy Bridge processor's substantial performance, it looks like it still may not be fast enough for this graphics subsystem.
Our CPU-specific benchmarks continue to demonstrate the potential upshot of going with a custom desktop system and saving some bread, but if you need a mobile gaming system the i7-3820QM in the M18x R2 is no slouch. It very nearly breaks the 100fps barrier on the first pass of our x264 benchmark.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
50 Comments
View All Comments
Silma - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
I won't.That's why I keep my M17xR2, with probably the best screen ever on a notebook.
Silma - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
Oop answered to quickly. Indeed, mostly true unfotunately.noblemo - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
I prefer 16:10 aspect ratio, also. The Alienware displays are great, but I wish they offered the IPS RGBLED panel from the Precision mobile workstation as an option.Dustin Sklavos - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
I prefer 16:10, too. My desktop monitors are all 16:10.The problem is that 16:10 in notebooks is basically all but gone. Even HP's top of the line mobile workstation with the IPS DreamColor display went to 1920x1080.
You can kvetch and be upset all you want, but this is the direction the market went. If you're really going to write off generations of quality hardware over losing a whole 120 vertical pixels of real estate, well...
Pneumothorax - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
You're forgetting a big elephant in the room: Apple, Although not much in the gaming dept, even their latest retina mbp has a 16:10 screen. They all do except the 11 air. Just wish the PC guys would copy that, they're copying everything else...N4g4rok - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
120 vertical pixels isn't worth the superiority complex.secretmanofagent - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
Cynically speaking, sounds like you already have it.N4g4rok - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
Quite possibly.But the point remains remains valid. Why pass up a display because of that difference?
For practicality's sake, there's nothing wrong with it.
etundidor - Thursday, May 9, 2013 - link
Is there any chance of upgrade tne M17x mobo in order to increase the RAM, Get SATA III 6G capacity and maintain this awesome display?etundidor - Thursday, May 9, 2013 - link
Hey guys, Is there any chance of upgrade the M17x R2 mobo in order to increase the RAM to 32 GB or 16GB at least , Get SATA III 6G capacity, manage two GTX 680M and maintain the M17x R2 awesome HD display?